PEORIA HEIGHTS — After 40 years of designing schools, libraries and correctional facilities, Ron Budzinski is now putting together a TV show.

The retired Peoria architect wants to produce "Homemade in the Heartland," a cooking show for WTVP-TV Channel 47, the area's public television outlet.

But Budzinski isn't just whipping up a central Illinois version of "Chopped" or "Cupcake Wars."

"I'm looking for the ideal 30-minute show that promotes family interaction at meal time," he said.

Citing his models as the book, "The Family Dinner" by Laurie David, and the familydinnerproject.org website, Budzinski believes in the importance of a family that sits down together to eat — or stands up and prepares the meal first.

Budzinski said he's learned from the first program he produced for Channel 47 last year with host Hugh Higgins, proprietor of the Hearth restaurant in Peoria Heights.

"Now I know more about what's needed," he said of the "Homemade" show, noting that he conferred with WTVP station manager Chet Tomczyk to review matters after the first show.

"I know the show has to move more quickly," said Budzinski, flipping open a three-ring binder containing production notes and a neatly drawn outline of how the 30-minute show would.

Three eight-minute segments are planned, the first featuring a local celebrity preparing a Sunday supper followed by a quick-and-easy segment with multiple short recipes. The last segment would feature cooking with others, especially kids.

"We're trying to answer the question, how do you get kids involved in cooking?" said Budzinski.

While his crash course in television production is progressing, Budzinski knows the challenges involved. He knows that, after all the planning, it comes down to people.

He's looking for telegenic performers who know their way around the kitchen — or at least the set he uses at Hampton's Kitchen & Appliance store, 7605 N. University St.

"I'm looking for kids, for families. We'd have them come on the set and have that exchange right in front of the cameras," said Budzinski, aware of the fierce competition he faces from TV's growing culinary corner.

But he's shopping locally for his food stories. "We had Mary Ardapple (owner of Apple's Bakery) talking about making apple pies with her mother on the first show," he said.

Other guest cooks on that program included Alice Price, Amanda Pyle and Mary Ann Fahey-Darling.

George Stelluto, music director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, a man who grew up in an Italian restaurant in New York and loves to cook, is the kind of guest chef that Budzinski thinks would make interesting viewing.

But it's not just entertainment that's important on "Homemade." Budzinski wants to provide an incentive for family get-togethers.

"There's strong evidence that when families eat together there are significant benefits to child development, improved communication, appreciation of family roots and the overall well-being of the family," he said.

Page 2 of 2 - Budzinski also thinks his concept could play well outside of central Illinois. "I can see a 'Homemade in Cajun Country' set in New Orleans, using that area's great cooking talent," he said.

Knowing the importance of a good foundation, Budzinski happily seeks the input of others through his homemadeintheheartland.com website.

Steve Tarter can be reached at 686-3260 or starter@pjstar.com. Follow his blog, Minding Business, on pjstar.com and follow him on Twitter @SteveTarter